Charlestown, R.I. – September 14, 1943

March 10, 2018

Charlestown, Rhode Island – September 14, 1943

Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless
U.S. Navy Photo

On the night of September 14, 1943, Ensign William Haley Brown was at the controls of his SBD-5 Dauntless, (Bu. No. 28204), awaiting instructions as he sat on one of the runways at the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Air Field. He and other aircraft in his squadron were scheduled to begin night field carrier landing training. Ensign Brown was assigned to VC-32.

U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat
U.S. Navy photo

Meanwhile, an F6F-3 Hellcat, (Bu. No. 25732), was approaching to land on the same runway occupied by Ensign Brown and the other aircraft. Due to darkness, and light intermittent drizzle, the pilot of the Hellcat didn’t see the Dauntless until it was too late. The Hellcat crashed into the Dauntless killing Ensign brown. The pilot of the Hellcat escaped without injury.

The Hellcat received major structural damage, the Dauntless was damaged beyond repair.

The accident was blamed on the airport facilities and poor organization.